Far East

The Ashton Group has a proud trading history, stretching over 140 years and during this time we are proud of our commitment and contribution to UK Manufacturing. Based at the historic Cortonwood site in Barnsley, Manufacturing remains at the heart of the Ashton Ethos. Ashton Corporate Clothing continues to manufacture clothing, Ashton Seals continue to manufacture Gaskets and Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd continue to manufacture high quality promotional, stationary, presentation and related items. Over the last 10 years it has become increasingly clear that many UK users of these products have been exploring ways to remain globally competitive and at Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd we have a solution that has no impact on the quality of the product or the service that we provide. The prospect of sourcing from low cost bases such as Taiwan and China can be daunting, and faced with a lack of knowledge, experience and company infrastructure, it is sometimes difficult to take advantage of these lower unit costs. This is where dealing with Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd removes many of the problems associated with Far East sourcing. All parts are sourced from leading manufacturers, employing the latest technologies and equipment, and customers can be confident that they will receive products of the highest quality at an extremely competitive price. Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd understands the need for flexibility and that is why so many of our customers choose to combine the benefits of the Far East with the peace of mind that the UK facility provides. This is particularly useful for emergency orders or shorter runs and some customers extend this further and also take advantage of our stockholding facilities – parts are stored in the fully computerised UK warehouse and remain available for immediate call-off as required. Whichever option you choose, you can rely on Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd to assist with the design process, whether for a new product or for a cost out of an existing product. SA8000 The SA8000 Standard is an auditable certification standard based on international workplace norms of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. A summary of the Standard elements follows: 1. Child Labour: No workers under the age of 15; minimum lowered to 14 for countries operating under the ILO Convention 138 developing-country exception; remediation of any child found to be working 2. Forced Labour: No forced labour, including prison or debt bondage labour; no lodging of deposits or identity papers by employers or outside recruiters 3. Health and Safety: Provide a safe and healthy work environment; take steps to prevent injuries; regular health and safety worker training; system to detect threats to health and safety; access to bathrooms and potable water 4. Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: Respect the right to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; where law prohibits these freedoms, facilitate parallel means of association and bargaining 5. Discrimination: No discrimination based on race, caste, origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union or political affiliation, or age; no sexual harassment 6. Discipline: No corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse 7. Working Hours: Comply with the applicable law but, in any event, no more than 48 hours per week with at least one day off for every seven day period; voluntary overtime paid at a premium rate and not to exceed 12 hours per week on a regular basis; overtime may be mandatory if part of a collective bargaining agreement 8. Compensation: Wages paid for a standard working week must meet the legal and industry standards and be sufficient to meet the basic need of workers and their f

For more information on Far East talk to Ashtons (Sheffield) Ltd